"Feliz Día Papá!"

Buen Dia!

First off: HAPPY FATHERS DAY YESTERDAY to all the dads out there that I couldn’t send a note to. I hope you all had a wonderful day! Thanks for all you do! I ALMOST spoke in sacrament meeting yesterday (I was the backup plan if someone didn´t show up), and I prepared a good long speech to all you dads. Sadly, I wasn´t able to share it in Argentina, so here´s a super short version for you lovely Americans! (Sorry it´s short, I´m really out of time :/ also, it´s a messy translation... but ANYWAY... )

Many times, we missionaries explain to the people that God is our father and a good father, and that he loves them. But to many, the concept seems strange. The being most powerful in the universe created us-

Okay, I´ll believe that.

But that he loves us individually and personally, that our lives are important to him and that he wants to help us-

It sounds like a fairy tale.

We can start to recognize the truth of these things, that he loves us and helps us, when we learn of Jesus Christ.

To help us learn more about them- Jesus and God- we of course have the scriptures, and prophets and prayers, but there´s something more that everyone has and is born with- Fathers and brothers. Thank you for your examples! Every action of service and love, every part of the not-so-simple work of fathers helps us to learn about our Father in Heaven. You are testimonies of Him, and can help the world return to Him. How great is your role as fathers!

Of course, there are many in this world who don´t have fathers in their lives, or there are others who don´t have the chance to be fathers- but thank you, all of you who reach out to be fathers to the fatherless!
I´m grateful to be able to witness and share that the grace of God, and the power of His son reach out to every little being, and that his justice and mercy are upon all of us. Thank you to all of you who work to ease the burdens of others and be fathers!!!

Sheesh I wish I could finish ^that thought, but I hope you all know how much you´re all needed and appreciated!

One little funny moment to tie up this letter-

After a long afternoon of trying to find people to teach, we met a woman who really lifted our moods. At first she was surprised to find 2 girls on her front step, but after talking a bit, she began to accept everything... like, so much it was a little crazy. "We´re here to help people know if this message is true, would you like to know if it´s true?"

"YES!"

"Wow! great! Will you read this and pray to know if it’s true?"

"YES!!!"

"Wow! congrats, seriously you have tons of faith! Will you join us to go to church tomorrow?"

"YES!!! I would LOVE to! What time?"

And so it continued... we were laughing with joy and amazement! We set up plans to pass by to help her get to church, but when we called her the next morning, she nervously asked who we were, then hung up the phone... yeah, the poor thing was surely very surprised! Maybe in that night she began to realize that she had just agreed to something really big and got a little scared- we´ll go back and help her and explain things this week... I hope we didn´t scare her, her poor little 85 year old heart. But we did get a good laugh! Even though we´re worried about her... yeah... maybe it wasn’t such a funny story but oh well... there you go...

Love you all so much! Sorry for not being able to send more great experiences! But the work goes forth and the fun goes on here in Pueyrredón! Read your scriptures, pray, go to church!

Love,



Hermana Hill

"I´m not fat, just poofy!" HELLOOOO WINTER!!! (June 15, 2015)

Hola Familia! Hola a Todos! Y, Hola a FRIO...

Your latest weather update: double-layered fleece-lined tights are now necessary. Don´t even think about going out without gloves and a hat. Are you wearing enough scarves? Yep. It´s cold.

A TON has happened this week! I think Alma 29 sums up quite nicely "O that I were an angel, and I could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! ...But I am a man, and do sin in my wish. For I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me..." And oh that I were an angel and could share ALL of these great experiences and things that I´m learning with all of you. But, like alma goes on to say, luckily ALL of us get to receive help and revelation from our Heavenly Father- So one day we´ll all hang out and just share everything, okay? Okay. In the meantime, I´m VERY happy to be here in Bahía Blanca doing what I am. Mom, Dad, Grandma, don´t worry, I´m fat and happy.

The scripture also applies in another way to this week, ‘cause it was kinda a tough one in the side of finding people who make time to listen. But that is not at all to say that we didn´t find some, and we definitely have seen many miracles this week. The girl Camila that I told you about last week is doing well! She´s sharing what she is learning with her family, and she cried when we gave her the Book of Mormon. She teaches me so much about gratitude and humility, and about appreciating the small things that mean much. The poor thing was on bed rest this week by doctor’s orders to keep her baby healthy, but we´re all praying that everything goes well and she can come to church the next week.

We also taught a wonderful lesson to a young couple from Viedma. The husband, Mariano, is a percussionist- and we all geeked out for a while when he showed the Hindu "Tabla" drums that he found in some guys attic. Although at first he was a little nervous to talk about religion, music helped us break the ice and helped us to be friends first. It also helped to teach! The analogy came to our minds of the "piano of the gospel" or of religion. The majority of religions and people are all broken up, and maybe we even just play the same five notes. But when we open our hearts and begin to learn about other cultures and religions, we can find other notes to compliment the original five. Even if we love the five with all our heart, maybe there´s a whole keyboard to be found, and it´s worth it to look for it and learn to play. If you don´t like the music it makes, OF COURSE you can go back to the original five. We believe that there is one religion, one organization that has all of the keyboard. But here´s the thing, if we don´t listen, we´ll never know. If we don´t ask God, we´ll never know. We have to open our hearts to the rest of the keyboard. Open our hearts to the Holy Ghost and learn about these things. We missionaries are here to give sorta the "music appreciation" class. Teach the people and help them experiment for themselves. If they don´t like it, they can go back to the way they were before! If they do, they can continue to grow. I hope that analogy made sense... But all in all, what it comes down to, is that God answers prayer- even if it takes time, even if it doesn’t make a lot of sense at first. And I know that God want’s us to be able to find the whole keyboard- the whole truth of everything he has for us. This is His wish, and this is His work. So if you´re looking yourself, or if you´re helping someone else look, you can rest assured that God will help you in this quest.

Love you all very much! I hope you have a wonderful week! Remember to read the scriptures and pray and have family home evening! God bless you and keep you!

Love,

Hermana Hill

Pueyrredón is PueyrreZION (June 8, 2015)

Buen Dia to my lovely Seres Queridos,

Time flies!!! Especially when you’re with the super Hermana Saunders in the super area of Pueyrredón. The area is very diverse, but mainly on the upper-side of the social scale. There are people that have DISHWASHERS and cars and then, cross the railroad tracks and there are people that live in houses of "chapa" (sheet metal). It´s always a humbling experience!

This week was a week of miracles! First, I have to tell you of Camila. On Saturday, after finishing up a wonderful lunch with Sole and her aunt (her aunt is from a pueblo that doesn´t have the church- it was wonderful to share with her! And meet her!). We were very late for our next appointment and had to take a bus. It took forever to get there, and we had to take a different route to our lesson.

On the sidewalk, we saw a girl sitting alone and I even ashamedly thought to myself "If we weren’t heading to a lesson right now I would TOTALLY sit and talk with her". Apparently the girl (Camila) listened to the Holy Ghost more than I did, because upon seeing us, immediately said: "I know you two."

We talked a bit, but both Hermana Saunders and I thought to ourselves that surely she had met two other blonde missionaries, at some point and got us confused. We set up an appointment to visit her and got to know her a bit, and I HAD to ask: "where did you say that we met before?"

"In the street Nicochea, about 6 months ago. How could I forget your faces? You found me in a moment very difficult. I´m very content that you´re going to pass by on Tuesday!"

It clicked for us- we had met this girl more than 8 months ago in Villa Mitre when we served there together. We explained to her that we had separated and gone to many different places all over Argentina for the time that we hadn´t seen her, and that RECENTLY we had reunited to work together here. She recognized US- not one or the other, so we had to be together. Upon hearing this, she said "I don´t believe in coincidences- it´s for something that you found me"

If we hadn´t have been a little late, and taken that bus, and walked in that way to our appointment, who knows if we would have seen her! And although we don´t remember her, she remembers us, and that doesn’t happen too often! I have faith that great things will happen with Camila. But even if I´m not here to see them pass, I know that this was a miracle. Even if it was only so that we could have a moment to know and remember that God is aware of us, I´m so glad that it happened! I know that miracles happen.

This week we also went with one of our investigators to make an appointment to be married!!! It won’t be until October, but seeing the joy and excitement of her and her boyfriend brings us so much happiness!!! She´s excited to be baptized thereafter and be able to go to the temple to be sealed. We ate celebratory facturas after that happy moment :)

I´m out of time, but I read a few talks this week that I REALLY hope you all read and study!!! They’re wonderful!

Elder Bednar- https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/come-and-see?lang=eng

Elder Christofferson- https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/08/why-we-share-the-gospel?lang=eng

Elder Neil Anderson - https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/its-a-miracle?lang=eng

Sorry for all the links, but I hope you can get the chance to read at least one of them.

I´m so grateful to be here in Pueyrredón! Great things are happening, and the joy that the gospel brings IS REAL. Love you all! Hope you have a great week!!! 

May God bless you and keep you,

Hermana Hill

REUNITED! (June 1, 2015)

Okay, SO MANY GREAT THINGS HAPPENED THIS WEEK!

First off, Transfers happened! Hermana Mancuello finished her mission and is heading back to BA and Paraguay. Our companions are going to be companions, and now I... wait for it.... wait for it.... AM SERVING IN DOWNTOWN BAHÍA BLANCA with, wait for it... wait for it... HERMANA SAUNDERS!!!! My wonderful companion and I are companions again!!! For those of you that don´t remember, it was Hermana Saunders that finished my training in Villa Mitre 2. We were only together for 1 short transfer, but now we´re here again, serving in the area that´s called the Pueredon ward. Literally in the middle of Bahía. It´s going to be a big change to work here instead of in the little pueblos like before. But I´m more than stoked to be here in my beloved Bahía Blanca, with the fantastic Hermana Saunders. We´re ready to take on the world.

Okay, I don´t have any time at all, but this week we also had our Zone conference with Presidente Parreño. We’re going to miss him tons! But of course it will be GREAT to serve with Presidente Cifuentes. President Parreño leaves the 30th of June. I have learned so so much from him and his wife!!! And this conference was especially powerful because we talked about using with wisdom the time we have been given by God to work here (ch. 8 preach my gospel). I know that God loves each and every one of us! He has given us tools to be able to efficiently do His work here. I hope we can each study and use them wisely!

Here’s my letter to my president, sorry once again that it´s in Spanish, and bad Spanish at that because it was written quickly... yep.... it´s not that I don´t love you all! I promise ;)

Hola Presidente!!!!

Muchas muchas gracias por el conferencia de zona que tuvimos en Santa Rosa, aprendimos mucho y fue buenisimo para aplicar las cosas a nuestro area de Toay. Usamos la encuesta muchisimo y hemos podido encontrar por lo menos 2 investigadores que realmente van a progressar, y muchisimos contactos mas que estan cerca de ser nuevos o tener sus fechas otra vez. Trabajamos duro hasta el ultimo momento, y me siento muy contenta con salir la area habiendo dejado muchos buenos investigadores y menos activos progresando para que las otras hermanas pueden cosechar el buen fruto de Toay.  De verdad, estoy muy animada con los cambios! Siento que va a ser muy bueno por Toay a enfocarse en apoyar un compañerismo de misioneras. Y Hna baird y Hna Castleman tienen mucho animo y amor- este bario va a continuar de crecer. Enfocamos mucho en enseñar los miembros de la caridad y hicimos la encuesta. Ellos estan mas penientes de los oportunidades misionales en sus vidas. Aunque este semana no llegamos a tener muchos referencias por la enquesta, sentimos bien que intentemos con todo el corazon, y los miembros vieron y sentieron nuestro animo. Invitamos a ellos a orar para saber a quienes podemos hacer la encuesta. Ojala que muchos lo hacen y piensen en muchas personas con quienes las hermans pueden compartir la encuesta y por esto, el evangelio. Siento que Toay esta progressando, por lo menos en mas animo. Va a ser bueno por ellos a enfocarsen en hacer todo por este uno compañerismo, y juntas con ellos las hermanas van a encontrar, enseñar, reactivar, bautizar, y retener. Vimos algunos frutos de nuestro labor este semana porque una menos activa con quien estamos trabajando fue a la iglesia con sus hijos! Su mamá lloró con gozo, y con todos regocijemos. fue lindo para ver el barrio venir juntos en este manera. La obra de salvacion es lo que cambia todo. Un bario que esta disanimado esta asi porque no estan haciendo su deber- el servicio en la obra de salvacion.

Estoy MUY animada para servir en Pueredon! Siento super entusiasmada para servir con Hna Saunders otra vez y SÉ que con la fuerza del Señor que vamos a bautizar acá por la salvacion de las almas y glorificacion de Dios. Estoy trabajando para ayudar los miembros entender que bautismo no es un numbero, y no lo hacemos por esto. EL PRESION DE BAUTIZAR VIENE DE DIOS y bautizamos porque las almas nos importan, no porque queremos gloria mundano.

Keep the faith, read your scriptures, go to church, pray, and share what you know! Love you all very much. May God bless you and keep you this week and always.

Love,

Sister Hill

Hermano Lucero has a Farm...

Hola a Todos!!! AND FELIZ DIA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA!!!!




There are almost too many adventures to write about this week! So let’s get to it...


Monday we visited the cemetery of Toay, all the graves are above the ground and there are even "houses" where families put their caskets all together. It was nice to be able to visit a few of the people we know. The grounds keeper showed us symbols on a few of the graves and asked us if we know their meaning. Most of them, not a clue! But we assume the skull and crossbones mean pirates... hey, you never know! The coolest part was that we got to share about the plan of salvation with the man that works there.

Friday, we visited Hermano Lucero and his farm in the middle of rolling hills of grazing ground :) It’s just a 45 min walk from the center of town. (Yes, Toay is that small...) We enjoyed his horse and pigs and chickens and dogs, and it felt amazing really to be in the clean air and the quiet campo.

That night we had a super ward activity- TALENT SHOW BASED ON THE BOOK OF MORMON! Not very many prepared talents, so it was kind of a "Sister Missionary Show" but luckily we were able to incorporate the kids so that they could show their skills too. They colored and showed off their art, played "heart and soul" with us on the piano, and in our play about Ammon and King Lamoni they got to be sheep and servants :) It ended up being a SUPER fun night!!! We were overjoyed too because the family that the other Hermanas are teaching came, and so did a family of less actives that we visit! And a HUGE blessing was that they came to church on Sunday too!


I love you all tons and tons! I hope you all are sharing the gospel and reading the scriptures- get involved! I love the conference talk "Soy yo Señor?" um... don’t know what it is in English... but remembering that we CAN change. (“Lord, Is It I?” given by President Uchtdorf October 2014 – see link https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/lord-is-it-i?lang=eng). We don’t have to be miserable creatures that are stuck in routine of guilt and mistakes. The atonement of the Savior is for EVERY ONE OF US. For those that say "I’m better than everyone" and for those that say "I’m worse than everyone"- both sayings are to negate that His atonement reaches every person. "I’m weak, but I CAN be made strong in Christ."

Love you all!!! Have a great week!!!! God bless you and keep you!

Hermana Hill

THERE IS A TEMPLE OF THE LORD IN CÓRDOBA

Queridos amigos y familia,

This week has been spectacular. There is so much that I can and would love to talk about! The most important and wonderful is that THER IS NOW A DEDICATED TEMPLE IN CÓRDOBA. President Uchtdorf and Elder Christofferson, with other area leaders came to celebrate and dedicate the temple! It was wonderful to hear elder Christofferson talk completely in Castillano, and President Uchtdorf even showed off his Spanish skills with a little German accent and a few lines of welcoming and jokes. ("for those of you who didn’t understand me, i wasn’t speaking German"). The talks gave me chills and we cried with the complete joy of it all. The temple is HUGE and so elegant! Surely, and I know it too, it has been and is and will be a blessing and a life changing spot. I already feel the difference of having another temple in our country. It will bless and protect the members and all the people of Argentina. I want it to be filled with people always, and I hope that I can do my part as a missionary to make that happen. I hope all of you are going to the temple! Serve within it’s walls or enjoy the beauty of the grounds around it. EVERYONE is invited to partake of the beauty and spirit of peace resides in the temple. GO OFTEN. I know that the lord has established these houses and named them His. In them we can learn of His love and feel it too. I can talk about temples all day- please go!

This week I also went in divisions for two days in Santa Rosa. Brendan- I met a baseball player FINALLY! The first one that I’ve found in Argentina yet. He has a scholarship for Stanford <- SAY WHAT? We found him in a miraculous way too. My companion Hna Antuña and I prayed, and picked a spot on the map to knock doors that day. Without knowing beforehand, we had picked the same area. So, in contacting in that street, with every door every person said "nope!" "NOT INTERESTED" and we even got a polite "please go away". But that last door that we knocked was a good one. Franco opened up. He doesn’t even live in that house so it was a "coincidence" that we found him (Nope). He’s super excited to learn about the church and go to activities with his friends. I learned so much in divisions!!!

Love you all lots! Go to the temple! Share the joy of the gospel! Pres. Uchtdorf promised us that if we practice joy and smile more that the churches will be filled. Make it happen!

May God bless you and keep you!

Hermana Hill

The Trumpets are Sounding

BUENAS TARDES!

Whoa, where do I even start this week?! It was especially great to be able to talk to a few of you yesterday! Happy Mother’s day to all that I didn´t see!

This week we met a man when knocking doors that proposed a question a Little out of the norm. When usually we get questions like "where are you from, girls?" or at most a "what´s the difference between your religion and mine? God is the same." He asked: "What´s this in the bible that talks about the Trumpets?"

"Um, the part about the apocalypse?"

"No clue."

So we got to explain!!! It was so cool. We were able to jump right in and explain prophets and to him and that we should prepare for the second coming of Christ by following these prophets and follow Christ, and being baptized. When we went back to teach him, it went so well!  We couldn't have done it without the help of, well, first off, the Holy ghost, but especially in this case the member that came with us. They connected so well! They have sons of the same age, both employed in the army. She was able to explain things to him in a way so simple and personal. I´m really grateful for her help. WE CANNOT DO THIS WORK WITHOUT MEMBERS!!! Even if you´re not leaving to go out and teach with the missionaries, share your testimonies in small simple ways. you don´t have to hide that you went to the temple the other day and how you felt about it. Or that you´re getting ready to go to trek. Or that you love doing family history- Whatever it is, dare to let your religion show! I promise you, it DOES make a difference. A big one. Invite the missionaries to bring an investigator to your family home evening! get to know your neighbors. This principle applies to everybody- Mormons or no. You don´t have to be ashamed or afraid of what you believe. And never should we chastise ANYONE because they believe differently than we do. By sharing willingly and respectfully, we can be the hands of the Lord to bless the lives of others.

On a cultural note, not only are the trumpets of apocalypse sounding, but so are the rosters! I have the grand pleasure to wake up to the chickens next door every day. I´m telling you people, they don´t just greet the sun, but they warn you of it, a good 2, 3, 4 hours before even a hint of light escapes the horizon.

Also, I just have to say that I love the Hermanas that we live with! Hermana Mancuello and Hermana Baird are AWESOME. Hermana Mancuello is from Paraguay and like a Latina princess- graceful and Smart. Hermana Baird is from Idaho and hilarious. I don´t know a better way to explain it tan to say that she is a human girl version of "Olaf" from Frozen.. I don´t know if I already said, but Hermana Castleman my companion is from Centerville Indiana, has an amazing voice, and is just all around awesome.

I love you all so much!!!

¡Write ya soon! Have a wonderful week, and may the Lord bless you and keep you.

Love,

Hermana Hill